By: Olivia

How did Jackie Robinson influence America today?

Jackie Robinson influenced America today by being the first African America to play in the major leagues. He inspired African Americans to play baseball in the major leagues. And showed that they could do anything they wanted to do.
Jackie Robinson was born on January 31st 1919 in Cario, Georgia U.S. He was married to Rachel Isum on 1946. He had 3 children. His Grandparents were slaves. He was in World War II from 1941 -1945. He died on October 24, 1972 of a heart attack. In high school he was a star athlete, he played baseball (his worst sport), basketball, football and track.

Jackie Robinson was 28 years old when Branch Ricky asked him to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Branch Rickey wanted to break the color line in baseball for a long time, but he has been waiting for the right person to be the first African American, and that was Jackie Robinson. At first it was very hard for Jackie Robinson. He got booed at on the field but never fought back. And that was just what Branch Ricky was looking for. He said to Jackie Robinson, “Everyone will pick on you but you can’t fight back.” he said, “I was looking for a great ballplayer with enough guts not to fight back.” Jackie Robinson not fighting back helped him a lot. If he did, people would know that it bothered him and it would go on for a while, but since he didn’t people got the message that he wasn’t bothered and stopped. People threw stuff at him while he was batting. But he never gave up. In fact, he was the best player on the team. Of course the rude names and actions bothered him but he just kept on being the great player he was! Before he got asked to be on the Major Leagues, he was on the Negro baseball team which was the name for the baseball league with black players only. He was in a batting championship and won. He was M.V.P (most valuable player). He was rookie of the year in 1947. That was also the year of the World Series he said, “That was one of the most important moments of my life,” Exclaimed Jackie Robinson. But his career had to end sometime. He retired 1956.

Jackie Robinson practically changed America today. Think about how it would be without all of the great African American athletes. That’s all thanks to Jackie Robinson.

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